Improvement in type-setting machines



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Lampatnylvaoasa, dated octabriz, 1869. p 5 f l IMPROVEMENT IN TYPE-SETTING MACHINES.

v,To qllwhom it may concern: `1

Be it known that I, JOSEPH THORNE, oi' the city, county, and `State of N ew York, 1have invented certain 'new and useful Improvements in Machinery. for

Setting Types; and that the. following is a full, clear, and exact description and specification of my said invention. e

The object of my invention is to produce a compact machine, of small dimensions, for setting np types in line; and

My invention consists of certain combinations ofthe .following instrumentalities,viz:

Typ`e-holders,'each containing a column of' type, and each having an opening at its bottom for the admission of a inger, by which the lowermost type of the columnis ejected endwise from the type-holder. A

A race or conductor, extending parallel with one or more series of type-holders, 'and receiving the type ejected therefrom.

Ejecting-tingers, one for each type-holder, their of'- fice being to eject the types into the type-race.vv

One 01' more reciprocatingcarriers operated by power to move said rejecting-lingers whenevertheyare selected by the operator. t

Keys, to select the ejecting-fingers and move `them within reach of their carrier. y Type-drivers, to move the types in the type-race,

. positively along the same by pushing them.

A type-channel, for receiving the types from the type-race, and for'holding them in line.

chine at the line y y of g, 1, and' l Figure 4 represents a? transverse section of thesame A type-transferrer, for transferring the types from vthe type-race to the type-channel.

A reciprocating type-setter,.for setting up the types as they are'delivered into the type-channel.

A spring-presser, to hold the types erect in the typechannel as they are set up the-reim A movable gauge, to straighten sui-h types as may be delivered in skewed positions by the type-driver.

A friction-clutch or driver, to permit the drivingshaft to stop in case of an impediment to the movement of the members ot' the machine.

All my combinations are contained in the type-settingmachine represented in the accompanying 'drawings as an illustration ota good mode o'i'constrncting them. ,Y c Figure 1 represents a plan oi half ofvthe mach-ine, andV y I l Figure 2,'represents a plan lof' the remaining half, said two halves meeting at'the dividing line. a; w.

. Figure 3 represents a transverse section of the maat ,theli'ne z Z ot' fig. 1. i

j Figure 5 represents a'yeiticallongitudinal section v of the-'machine at the centre of the ytype-race.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same i y.

. .v i l i Figure 6 representsa, plan of vparts of thc driverslide and of the ga nges,vand- Figure .7 representsa section of `thedriving-pulley and the fiiction-driveuor clutch thereof.. 1

The machine, as represented, istprovided with a number of type-holders, a (t a, each fitted to hold a column of` types laid on their sides on top of one anot-lier.' i These type-holders are secured toja table, B, and Iare arranged in four series or gangs, AAl A2 A. Two of these series`- constituting a zpair, A A2 arey arranged in parallel lines at one side,ofthefcentralV type-Gimn-` nel C, in which the type, are'set up in lineand the re.- lnaining two series, Al A, are arranged at the oppo-` site side o f said type-channel, and constitnteasecond pair; hence each member of., one ,pair Lof-seriesis arranged endwise to the members of the other pairs.

The two series of ,each pair are separate by the type-race4 D, which extends parallel with t]V and forms the pathway alongwhich the t driven to the type-channel; oneseries, A A, of each pair heilig in frontof'-said, type-race, and .the other series of the pair in the rear of it.

As the series of' one pair, A A', are endwise to the The cavity of'each type-holder separatedii'oin those adjacent to it in thil same series, by partitions, b b. i

lach front type-holder is provided with a sliding ejecting-iiuger, E, to eject, ,the lowermost typer. This tinger is a litt-le thinner than the type it is to opelate upon, and the side ot' theI type-holder farthest'kii'orn the 4type-race has an `opening in its bottom to pormitrt-his finger to enter, whilethe side nearest the type-race has a similar opening ot' the requisite height to permit the type to be ejected by the finger when it is pushed toward the type-race D. Each ejectingffinger is connected with avslde', F, which is constructed. to move toward and from the type-race; and each of these finger-,slides is provided with two-legs, d dl, which depend I from it, and pass through an opening in the vtablorB of the machine.y

Each rear type-holder, (or type-holder in the rear of the type-race,) isprovided'n-'ith a sliding ejccting-tinger,E, likeI those, E, of lthe1- front type-lif'ilders, and connected -in likernanner with a slide, F1, provided -with legs, d* 1l, but the ejecting-fingei's Eof their-ear gang of type-*holders are arranged at a higher level than the front fingers E, so as to k'deliver the'type which they eject upon a racevplatafin., which' divides,

'the type-race into Iau nppercoursa e, and aloirgnf Y poupee, e', the former for the typesfrom the rear gms A A of vtype-holders, and tli`e' 'latter forthe *typesv from. thc front gangs A A1 thereof.

All` the finger-slides of each rear gang move toward thextype'race, (or forward,) by a spring, 1,I and-from it. (or backward) by means of a cam, J,

which is secured to a cam-shaft, K, that is caused 'to revolve continuouslywhile the machine is in operation, lhe'cani operates upon an'arm,1, which is'secuied to the rock-shaft Hl of the finger-slide carrier G1, and.

v as this carrieris connected with the rock-shaft Hl toward the typc-race.

' is provided for each.

itsnpper edge at every point of its length describes a circle, of which the axis of the rock-shaft is the centre. This circleisdenoted-.in fig. Z5-by -th'e dotteddline,

All the finger-slides of each front gang of typeholders are moved toward and from the .type-race by asimilar carrier, G, secured to arms f f, projecting fi'm'arOck-Shaft, H. Thislrock-shaftis caused to rock-by connectinglit, through arms LVI?, with the rear rock-shaft H', so th'at'the twocarriers at one 'side of the typechannel G, are moved simultaneously froin the type-race by the same cam J, `and ,toward the racc (when the. cam' permits) by a spring, I.

The cam J', for the carriers Gr1 G, at oneside of the type-channel C, is set ldiametrically opposite that, J, for` the carriers at the other side of the type-channel, so that the carriers, and consequently the ejectinglingers of the twol pairs of series of type-holders, are

. movedin alternate succession.` l

That leg, d1 or d, of each finger-slide, F or F1, which is' farthest from the type-race D, is so long that the carrier G or G1 can act upon it during the whole of its .n1ovement, by the spring I, away from the type-race,

which movement -will be hereafter called the retr0- grade movement. Hence, whenever afnger-slide has been moved-forward, or toward the type-race, it is, of

necessity, moved immediately back to its retrograde. position by the next retrograde movement of the car- '.lhe other leg, d or (l2, of the finger-slide, is shorter, so that when the finger-slide has been -nioved to its backward position, by the4 carrier G or G1, this short leg is beyond the dotted line g y, and consequently is out of the range of the carrier.

Hence, so long as each ingerfslide remains in its backward position, it will remain at rest, and will not operate the type-linger E or El, nor eject a type from the type-holder into the type-race; but, if the iingerslide be moved la little forward, as represented in dotted lines in tig. 3, its shorter leg is thereby placed within the range of mot-ion of the carrier, and consequently the latter, in its forward movement, will act upon it, carrying the finger-slide, from which the leg depends, forward, (toward the type-raad) and causing its type-finger to enter the type-holder and push the lowermost type into the type-race. l

Hence, whenever any linger-slide is moved forward within therangevof its carrier, the'type corresponding thereto is immediately' ejected into the type-race; and when a particular type 'is wanted, all that is required to have itejected from its type-holder, is-to select the linger by moving the corresponding finger-slide slightly z holdersrare moved toward' and from the type-race byv "one carrier, which' consists of a bar, G1, that is held'at the extremities of two arms, j" f', which project from a Anatedntheir action upon. the types, the former gang of keys can be operated by the leftI hand ,ofthe operator, andthe latter gang of keys by theright hand of the operatorin alternatesuccession, whereby theI op-n `the work of each of his hands.

Each key consists of a piston,'h, arranged to slide vertically in a frame, n, and maintained in "its-uppermost position by a spring,t',"tl iat is coiled about its stem. The lower end of each piston is inclined, and the inclined end of each piston of a front gang of typeholders is arranged to operate upon the upper end of an arm, j, that projects upward, the inger-slide,be/f' neath the arms jjj j, corresponding with eachof the four rows, M MM M, of keys,.being at the requisite distance from the endof the' type-fingers ,to be. operated by their respective pistonsl4 l Hence, when a piston is depressed, its inclined end, acting upon the armof the lingerslide', moves the finger-slide'within the range of its carrier. A y

The pistons h, of the rear gang of finger-slides F1, are constructed'to operate upon the ,arms j' j j' j',

'of key-slides F2, corresponding in number and lateral position with the linger-slides F1; and each key-'slide is connected with its respective rear finger-slide, by a rod, fw, which passes through the longer leg d3 of the finger-slide, and a corresponding leg, d, depending from the key-slide F2. v

Hence, when one ot the pistons, M' M M M', of the rear iinger-slides is depressedthe corresponding lingerslide is at once drawn. within the range of its carrier G1.

In order that the rear finger-slides may'not move the key-slides', when the former are moved forward by their carrier, each conuecting-rodv is constructed to erator can'concentrate his attention, alternately, upon y slide freely in the holes in lthe legs ds I?, but each rod is fitted with heads, so that the key-slide may draw the finger-slide forward, and that the finger-slide may draw the key-slide back to its position of rest,'when v the former is moved back by its carrier to its -ret'ro-v grade position. 'j y Each course of the type-race is traversed by a' sliding driver, there being an upper driver, Nz or kN3, for the upper course, at each side of the type-channel C, and a lower driver, N or N1, for the lower course, at each side of the said channel.

The outer ends of each pair of drivers, at each'side of the type-channel, are connected with a slide, O, to which a. reciprocating movement is imparted by the revolution of the crank l?, the crank being secured to the upper end of a short shaft, K', which is provided with a mitre-wheel,4 Q, whose teeth engage with those of a corresponding mitre-wheel, Q', secured to the camshaft K, so that the crank revolves simultaneously with the cams J J, and impels the two pairs of drivers, al-

ternately, toward thecentre of the machine.

The crank-pin k is fitted with a friction-wheel, l, which traverses'the slotted frame p, secured to the end of the driver-slide O, and thel throw of the crank is sufcientt move the inner ends'of the type-drivers fim a point a little beyond the outermost type-holders, to the edge of the type-channel C, at the inner ends of the pair of series of type-holders to which the drivers appertain.

. course, in the proper position to be pushed b v the driver toward the type-channel C, and delivered at the centre of the typo-race.4

Aln order that thc types delivered at the centre of l the type-race may bc entered into the type-channel,

a transferring-instrument is provided to move `the types cndwise, (that is, in a direction crosswise to the length of the type-race, and to the line of movement ofthe type-drivcrs,) and deliver them into the typechannel.

This type-transterrer 1t is arranged to slide in a groove, and is moved lbackward (out of the type-race) by a cam, S, which is securedto the cam-shaft K, and acts upon a rocking arm, T, with which the shank of the ty}ie-transterrer is `connected by a link, 'i'.

The transferrcr is moved forward, whenever the rotation of the cam S permits, by a4 spring Il.

The cam S is double armed, so that it causes the transterrer It to operate immediately after each typedriver arrives at its innermost `posit-ion, and the transfert-er is torked,so as to enter each course of thc typeraee, and push torward the types that may be in either or both of the courses.

ln order t-hatthe type, when so pushed forward, may enter readily in'to the type-channel, the bottom of the latter is arranged below the type-race, and a part of the lower course ot' the tyi'ie-racc, as well as a part of the race-plate on, is cut away, so that when the type in either is moved forward about two-thirds of its length, it tips, but downward, into thetypechannel, and arrives therein in an inclined position.

1n order that the type, so entered into the typeehannel, may be set; upright, a type-setter, U, is provided. This instrument is pivoted in a recess in `the table orbed-plate, and is caused to vibrate upon its pivotat intervals.' \Vhen at rest, it lies back in its recess, so that its forward side is inclined, (as seen in tig. 4,)-vand forms a way down which the type slides when pushed forward by the transferrer lt.

`When the type has thus arrived in front `of the .type-setter, it is vibrated forward until its forward side sta-nds erect, (asrepresented by the dotted lilies in tig. 4,) and consequently the type in front of it is lset upright, and is pushed forward inY the type-channel t-, together with all the in'eceding types that. have been set therein.' y

.lhe forward navement of this type-setter is eoeted by the same cam, S, thatoperatcs the. transfert-er 1t, v the shank s of the type-setter being connected, bya` letali-hable rod t with a shoulder lu on the rockin'rv :arm l, that is" operated by the transferring-cam S.

The backward movement ofthe type-setter is eft'ected by a spring, if, and the time ot' this backward movement is determined by a pin, -z, secured to the ti'alisterring-eam S,-whieh pin, by the revolution of" the type-channel, h v thc forward movement of thev Atype-setter, may not fall back when the type-setter withdraws from them, a spring-presser pawl, Y, is

i i provided, to press upon the rear edge of the. last type' that is set, and hold the row erect. This springpresser pawl is arranged in a socket in one of the. walls of the type-channel C, and protrndes into the type-channel, when not forced backby the types or by the type-setter in theirforward movement. y

-ln order that the. types moved by the type-drivers may not escape the action of the type-transferrer when deliveredat the centre ofthe type-race,.and that they may be properly entered into the type-channel C by the transfcirer R, a gauge, Y, is provided, to co-operate with each type-driver.

As the types in this machine are driven in both directions toward the cent-re, two gauges, Y Y, are required, one for each pair of type-drivers. Each gauge is constructed lto slide crosswse to the type-race, and

end is forked, so that one prong enters each course of the type-race.

Each gauge is operated by an inclined plane, W', fig. 6, formed upon the driver-slide lO. This inclined plane, when the slide. nieves in one direction, draws the gauge backward out yof the type-race, and when the slide `is moved in the opposite direction, permits a spring, I. v 1

The inclined planes, which act upon the two gauges, are inclined in opposite directions,`so that whenone way of they type-drivers advancing ltoward the 4centre of the machine, the other gauge is in the type-race, directly in front of the 4types that are. being pushed toward it by the advancing type-drivers, so that if the ,types happen to be, skewed, they are straightened by.

drivers.

crank, moves almost imperccptibly for a brief period, when at its innermost position, the inner ends of' the type-drivers are, for the moment, ,practically stationary, and constitute a guide at one side of the types, while they are moved forward by the type-transterrer R, while the gauge forms a. similar guide at the opposite side of the types. `The type-channel C is continued to the front of the table, and-'is then, carried oh" laterally, so as to deliver' the types in line at the side ofthe machine, where, it' deemed expedient, a receivat intervals for the purpose of dividing `the .row ot' types into lines. y v y In` using the. machine, the types `are placed in the type-holders, with their buts toward the `front of the. machine, the cam-shaft K, which transmit-smoton to to revolve continuously by a torce which communicated to it by a belt appliedto a `belt-pulley, X, and this belt may be driven by power, or by a treadle-motion worked by the foot ofthe operator. A

The pulley X is 'not fixed to the cam-shaft K, but is fitted to turn thereomaml is connected `with said shaitby a frietion-coupling` or clutch.

This coupling consists ot' the plate Z, which is fitted to the squared end IJ2 of the cam-shaft K, and is pressed against the face of the driving-pulley X by a nut, A?.

In this construction, the pulley X drives the eamshat't by the ti'ictional contact of its face with that of the driving-plate Z, 4a-nd itI there be any impediment to the movement ot' the cam-shaft greater than the friction of the pulley on the drivng-iilate, thc pulleyr will slip upon the driving-plate wit-hout turning it or the cam-shaft.

By turning the nut A4, the friction may be. regulated,

so that it' a type catches in any part of the machine, the pulley will slip, and the breakage of the instrument that is acting upon the type, or of the connections ot said instrument, will ie avoided.

parallel withthe type-transferrerlt, and its forwardI the gauge tobe moved forward into the type-race by gauge. is withdrawn from the type-race, out of' the being pressed against the type-gauge bythetype- Moreover, as lthe type-driver` being operated bya ing-box maybe arranged to receive them, and to move the various movingr members of the machine, is caused \\fhen the cam-shaft is revolving, the operator deprcsses the keys corresponding with the types to be set, thereby selecting the ejecting-ling'ersvas required, and the rotation of the cam-shaft, operating through iustrumentalities before described, causes the types to be ejected bythe said fingers into the type-race, to be driven to the centre of the machine by thc typedrivcrs, to be transferred to lthe type-channel by the type-transferrer, and to be set up and moved forward therein by the type-setter. y

As there are two type-drivers at each side of the type-channel, two types may be driven forward at once, one type being in the lower course of the race, and the other iu the upper course thereof, and as the type f'rom the upper course standsin advance of that delivered from the lower course when set up in the type-channel, care must be taken, when selecting two types sin'iultaneously, to select the first iu order from the rear series of type-holders. Thus, if the types for the word it are to be set up, the i7 must be selected from the rear series, and the tfromthe front series.

Each revolution of the 'cam-shaft will 'set up four types, two from each side of the type-channel, and

the setting-up may be effected with great rapidity, because the compactness of the key-board, 'dueto the arrangement of the keys in parallel lilies, enables an operator to select letters without moving the hands any great distance, all the ,fingers and the thumbs being used to play upon the keys.

In using the machine, it is expedient to place the types which are most required, suoli as the vowels and quadrates, near the centre ofthe machine, and to usetwo or more type-holders for each, so that the desired type may be taken either from a front typeholder or from a rear one, and at either side of the type-channel. i

The mode of imparting motion to the various members of the machine may be greatly varied, and but a portion of the improvements may be used; but it is preferred to use all the improvements in connection, as experience with the machine represented iu the drawings has proved it to be well adapted to the purpose to be performed by it. y

XVhat is claimed as the invention to be secured by Letters Patent are the following combinations of instrumentalities, viz: I f

1. The combination of the pair of parallel series of type-holders with the type-race arranged between the pair, and with type-drivers traversing said type-race, and constructed to push the types along the same, substantially as before set forth.

2. The combination of two series of type-holders, arranged endwise to each other, with a type-race extending along both, and with type-drivers traversing said type-race in opposite directions, so as to deliver the types at a central point, substantially as before set forth.

3. lhe combination of two type-holders, arranged at opposite sides of a typeerace, with a type-race divided into two courses, one course for the types ejected from each series oftype-holders, substantially as before set forth.

4. The combination of a. type-liolder with an ejecting-finger, a key to select said finger, and a rccipro'- eating carrier, operated by pdwer separately' from the key, to move said finger when it is selected, substantially as before set forth.

5. The combination of t'wo's'cries of type-holders with two series of ejecting-ngers and reciprocating carriers, operated in alternate succession, substantially as before set forth. O

6. The combination of two series of eiccting-iingers with reciprocating type-carriers, operated iu alternate succession, and with keys arranged in two gangs, one for each hand of an operator, substantially as before set forth.

7. The combination of' the series of type-holders, type-race, and type-driver, with a reciprocating typetransferrer, to transfer the types from the type-race, the wholel constructed to operate substantially as before set forth.

S. The combination of the series of type-holders with the type-race, type-transferrer, type-channel, and reciprocating type-setter, the whole constructed to operate substantially as bef'ore set forth.

9. The combination of the type-channel with a re ciprocating type-setter and spring-presser pawl, vthe whole constructed to operate substantially' a-s before set fort-h.

10. The combination of a type-race and type-driver with the movable gauge, substantially as before set forth.

11. The combination of the ejecting-fingers with a friction-driver for the shaft, which imparts motion to said fingers by connecting-mechanism, the whole constructed to ope-rate substantially as before set forth.

12. The combination of the reciprocating typedriver with a friction-driver for the shaft, which imparts motion to said type-driver by connecting-mech anism, the whole constructed to operate substantially as before s't forth;

13. The combination of the type-driver and movable gauge with a friction-driver for the shaft, that iinparts'uloton to said movable gauge by connectingmechanism, the whole constructed to operate substantially as before set forth.

. 14. The combination of the reciprocating typetransferrer with a friction-driver for the shaft that imparts motion to said type-transferrer by connecting-mechanism, the whole constructed to operate substantially as before setf'orth. v

415. The combination of the reciprocating type-setter with a friction-driver for the shaft that imparts motion to the said type-setter, by connecting-mechanism, the whole constructed to operate substantially as before set forth.

1u testimony whereof, I have hereto' set my hand, this 11th day of October, -1'867.

, JOSEPH THORNE.

Witnesses z '\V. L. BENNEM, J. RATHBONE, J r. 

